Metal-bending machine



S. H. GIBSON.

METAL BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED APR. 30, 1917.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET I.

jaw Zia W S. H.- GIBSON METAL BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1911. 1,348,215, Patented Aug. 3, 1920,

v 4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

4f ftflggfizio 4mm IIIIHIIIHI-H Hlllllllllll S. H. GIBSON. METAL BENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR 30 1917 Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

4 SHEE TSSHEET 3.

s. H. GIBSON. METAL BENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 30. I917.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STA TES EPATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL H. GIBSON, or CLEVELAND,- omo, ASSIGNOR 'ro THE FANNEB MANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, 0510, A oonrom'rron or 01110.

METAL-BENDING MACHINE.

Application filed April 30,

T on whom it may concern:

Be it known that L/SAMUEL H. GIBSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Metal-Bending Machines, of which the following is a'full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a machine for bending metal strips into desired shapes.

More particularly the machine is intended to make chaplets, and for this purpose embodies a machine which receives a strip of metal, severs the same when a proper length has been fed into the machine, and has instrumentalities which further operate to bend the strip of metal around a forming die and discharge the metal from the forming die when 'the bending is completed. WVhe re it is desired to form' achaplet with v abridge, the machine is provided withinstrumentalities which form the bridge upon the metal strip before it is passed into the machine.

(,i'enerally speaking, the invention may be said to comprise the elements and combinations thereof set forth in the accompanying claims.

'Refere'nce should behad to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion ofthe machine; Fig' 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine; Fig. 4 is a front elevation ofthe upper portion of the machine; Fig. 5' is a front elevation with portions in section of the lower part of the machine; Fig. 6 is a top plan view with portions in section of the machine; Figs. 7,

5 and 9 are sectional elevations respectively showing different positions of the forming instrumentalities operating upon a metal strip; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the finished chaplet. As is well known, chaplets areformed from, strips or bars of metal which are bent to assume a variety of different shapes and forms, one of which forms is shown in Fig- 10, as that is the particular form which the machine herein described is intended to produce. Y

There is'no intention, however, to limit the invention to making chaplets of this .particular form, as it will be apparent that Specification of Letters Patent.

metal strip about the I Patented Aug. 3,;1Q20 1917. Serial No. 165,359.

other forms of chaplets may be formed using the same general instrumentalities, merely changing proportions of the dies'and forminn instrumentalities ina'ccordance with the form of chaplet whichit is desired to ulti lnately produce.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, it will be seen that a strip of metal which is fed mto the machine is first pressed down into a recessed portion of the die block 1 by means of what may be termed a forming die member'2, which cooperates with the recess in the die 1 and folds the metal strip into the position shown in Fig. 7.

The next operation is to fold in the up standing portions of the metal strip as they are shown in Fig. 7 This is accomplished by moving inwardly the membersBand 4 which normally form the upper outside pol.-

tions of the die. These being moved/111'- wardly, as indicated in Fig. 8,,bend the/formerly upstanding portions of the metal strip into the position in which they are shown in Fig. 8. i

In the next operation a head die 5 descends and completes the folding of the forming die 2. A

suitable stripping mechanism is provided which removes the finished ch'aplet from the forming die member 2. j A: I

The formation of such a chaplet. as just described, made no provision for the formation of a bridge, which is that portion of the chaplet indicated at 6 in Fig. 1O. This bridge may be provided for, by giving a right-angled bend to one end of the metal strip before it is fed into the machine, this right-angled bend being indicated in Fig.7, and by following the various operations illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, it will be seen that in its final folded position the member 6 bridges between the oppositely disposed long sides or faces of the chaplet.

Referring now more particularly to Fig; 5, there is indicated at 7 astrip of metal which is of proper form anddimensions .to form a chaplet. This metal is fed through an opening 8 which guides the metal upon a platform 9 which is held in an upward position by springs 10. Adj acent the forward ortion of the platform there is a member 11 which at its end is slanted, as indicated at 12. This member upon the slanted portion functions in a certain manner which will presently be described, and its opposite edge serves as one member for a pair of shears for cutting the strip of metal.

Whenthe strip of metal is fed into the machine it feeds above the bed die 1 and beneath the forming die 2 until it strikes a stop 13. As soon as this operation has taken place, a knife, indicated at 14, is caused to descend, this member 11 severs the strip to a proper length.

A presser member 15 is descending at the same time the knife is descending, and .as soon as the knife has completed its opera tion, the presser member 15 being in engagement with the metal strip "'hich is upon the table 9, continues to press this, metal strip and causes the end ofthe metal strip to be folded against the inclined portion 12 of the member 11. This operation forms a right angled or substantially right-angled fold which is subsequently to form the bridge of the finished chaplet. It will, therefore, be apparent that the bridge is formed with a chaplet strip before it is fed, to the main folding machanism.

After the strip is fed into the machine and i has been severed by the knife 1, the die formmerely is provided to give clearance for bridge portion of the chaplet strip so that 'when; the die 3 bonds the chaplet strip ining member 2 descends and pressesthe strip into the recess at the upper portion of the bed die 1, the. upstanding .metal strip ends are bent around the forming die bylth e members 3 and 1, which members form a part of the die which gives the first formation to the chaplet strip. 1

These members 3 and 4 are movable, and as soon as theforming die has made its completedescent, the members?) and 4 fward eachotheiythc member Elmoving a little in advance of the member 1. so that the end of the chaplet strip which carries the bridge part is folded beneath the other end of the chaplet strip.

It should be noted that the forming die member 2 is provided with a wide central slot 2. This slot has no function so far as any forming operation is concerned, but the wardly, the bridge portion of a the chaplet strip will have some place in which to move.

As soon as the members 3 and i have completed their forming or folding operation, they retreat and the head die 5 descends and presses the chaplet strip into its final form and into close proximity to the forming die.

The forming die member 2 has the slot 2' therein, extended clear to the end of the forming die so that the, chaplet may be slipped off the end of the forming die;2.

As soon as the die head 5 has completed its operation it ascends and is shortly followed by the ascent of the forming die At. substantially this time a stripping mechanism is'brought into action, which strips or pushes knife. cooperating with the operation and functioning move to I tends around and in general conformity with the forming die.2, the member 16 being moved forwardly upon the forming die at theproper time to extrude the chapletl The mechanism and the operation thereof,

which has just been described, completes the portion so far as chaplet is concerned. Attention is next directed to the mechanism by which the various instrumefitalities heretofore described are operate Referring to F ig. 1 it will be seen that the machine comprises a platform 20 which is supported in any suitable manner and upon the platform is carried the bed die 1. V

The platform has at its rear thereof a standard 21 which supports a head 22, the head. comprising a box-like structure in which there slides, these slides the direct formation of a being .mounted for reare mounted a plurality of cipro cation within the head 22. 1 The slides are depressed in proper sequence by aplurality of cams 23, which are suitably mounted upon a shaft 24, which shaft in turn is properly journaled in the frame of the machine and is operated in any desired manner.

The cams 23 are arranged in such fashionas to depress the slides within the head 22, in proper sequence and in timed relationship for performing in proper sequence the operations of bending the metal strip. 7

Each slide has associated with it a spring, one of which is indicated at 25, this acting normally to raise its slide and to keep the upper portion of the slide in contact with its particular operating cam.

The cutter v1 1 is suitably secured to the sp g 4 slide 26. The pressure member 15 is secured to the slide 27. The forming die 2 is mounted up'on the slide 28. The heading die'5 is mounted upon the slide 29.

v The members 3 and 4 which form the up: per part of the bed die 1, and which are adapted to be moved in. to fold the metal strip around the forming die after it has descended, are carried by transverse sliding members 3 and 4 which are best shown in Fig. 6. Upon these sliding members 3 and 4 there are shoulders 3 and. 45 these shoulders being adapted to be engaged by slanting surfaces carried by members 30 and 31 which maybe best seen in Fig. 5. These members 30 and 31' are suitably mounted upon a slide 32. As the slide 32 descends the members 30v and 31 engage with the portions 3 and 4 of the slides 3 and 1, causing them to be moved towardeach other against the action of a spring33. This operation which has just been described, causes the members 3 vand at to move inwardly toward each other and bend portions of the strip of metal forming the chaplet in the manner which has heretofore been described, When the slide 32 ascends and disengages the slides 8 and 4, the spring 33 pushes the slides apart so that the members 3 and 4.

return to their normal position. a

As has before been pointed out, there is a stripping mechanism which pushes the finished chaplet off the end'of the forming die 2. This stripping mechanism comprises a collar 16, which is shown; inFig. 5,- which collar surrounds the forming die 2 and normally occupies a position toward the rear of the forming die so as to be outof the way when the forming die is functioning to bend the metal strip. This collar is secured to a rod 84, shownin Figs..1 and 4. This rod is secured to a pin ried by a head 36. by means of an arm 37 which is mounted in a manner to permit it to slide with respect to the slide 28, that is to say, the slide which carries the forming die 2, so that the stripping mechanism thus far described may descend or ascend together with the forming die.

The head 36 has an open endedgslot 36 formed therein, which slot'receives a pin 38 mounted in ayoke 39, This yoke is suitably mounted at the end of a rotatable shaft 40, which shaft is mounted in a portion of the frame of the machine. upper end is provided with an inclined extension 41 which is best shown in Fig. 4, and this extension has a pin which rides in a groove 42 of the cam 43 which is-carried by the shaft 24. Therefore, as the cam 43 turns, it will at the proper timedeflect the portion ll of the shaft' i i to give a rotative motion to the shaft 40, which will in turn impart a reciprocating motion to the head 36, which will in turn impart reciprocating motion to the collar 16 surrounding the forming die, and this reciprocating motion will be sufficient in extent to cause the'chaplet formed on the forming die to be pushe off the end thereof. Having described my invention", I claim 2-- 1. In a macl fine of the character described and in combination a-bed die having a recess formed therein, oppositely disposed movablemembers normally located above and at the sides of the recess'in the bed die,

the. front faces of said movable members formingcontinuations of the sides of the recess in the bed die and serving as parts of said die during the initial bending of a strip of metal, said movable members being adapted to receive; and support a'strip of metal to be formed, a forming die mounted above said movablemembers and adapted to descend to press the strip of metal between said movable membersvandinto the 35 which in turn is car-V The head 36 is mounted The shaft at its recess in the bed die, means for operating the said movable members to reciprocate them across the recess in the bed die thereby to fold the said strip of metal about the forming die and a heading die mounted above the forming die and adapted to descend and press the metalstrip which has been folded about the forming die.

2. In a machine of the character described, and in combination a bed die having a recess formed therein oppositely disposed lineally movable members normally located above and at the sides of the reress in the bed die, the front faces of said movable membersforming continuations of the sides of the recess in the bed die and serving as parts of said die with respectto bending a strip of metal, saidmovable members being adapted to receive and support strip of metal to beformed, a forming die mounted to normally be above the said movable members and adapted to descend and to press the strip of metal between said movable members and into the recess in the bed die, means for moving the said movable members toward each other, resilient means normally urging the said movable members apart,

' whereby the movable members return to initial position after being moved toward each other, and a heading die disposed above the forming die, and adapted to press the metal strip which has been folded about'the forming die. I

3. In a machine of the character described, and in combination a bed die having a recess formed therein, and adapted to receive a strip ofmetal having a substantially right angle bend at the end thereof, a forming die mounted above the bed die and adapted to descend and press a strip of metal into the recess of the bed die, said forming die being provided with a slotted opening, movable members oppositely disposed above the said bed die, and adapted to move in a direction toward each other and across the bed die, one of said movable members engaging that portion otthe strip having the fold therein to bend the strip against the forming die, with the fold of the stripextending into the slot of the formingdie, the other of said membersmoving to bend the other end of the strip against the first mentioned end of the strip, and a headi'ng die disposed abovethe forming die and of said die with respect to bending a strip of metal, said movable members being adapted to receive above the same and support a strip of metal having a'substantially right angle bend at the end thereof, a forming die which is provided with a slotted opening mounted to be normally above the said-movable members and to descend and r tending into the slot of the forming die, the

other of said 'movable members moving to bend the other end of the said strip against the first mentioned end of the strip and a heading die disposed above the forming die and adapted to press the metal strip which has been folded about the forming die.

5. In a machine of the character described, and in combination a bed die having a recess formed therein, and adapted to receive above the recess a metal strip having a substantially right-angle bend at the end thereof, a forming die mounted above thebed die and adapted to descend and press the strip of metal into the recess of the bed die, said forming die having a longitudinal slot therein, movable members oppositely disposed above the bed die and adapted to move substantially simultaneously toward each other and across the bed die, thereby to press the ends of the metal strip around .the forming die, one of said movable members engaging the end of the strip which has the fold therein to'move the same slightly in advance of the other end of the strip, whereby the fold ed end of the strip is caused to enter the slot in the forming die, and a heading die disposed above the forming die and adapted to press the metal strip which has been folded-about the forming die. w

6. Ina machine of the character described, in combination a'mechanismfor shearing a strip of metal and providing'asubstantially right angle fold at the end of the sheared strip, a bed die having a recess formed therein, and adapted to receive the strip of metal having the substantially right angle fold at the end thereof, a forming die mounted above the bed die and adapted to descend and press a' strip of metal into the recess of the bed die, said forming die being provided with a slotted opening, movable members oppositely disposed above the said bed die, and adapted to move in a direction toward each'other and across the bed die, one of said movable members engaging that portionof the strip having thefold therein-to bend the strip against the forming die, with the fold of the strip extending into the slot of the forming die, the other of said memhers moving to bend the other 'end of the" strip against the first mentioned end of the strip, and a heading die disposed above the forming die and adapted to press the metal strip which hasbeen folded about the forming die." r

7 In a device of the character-described, in combination with'a bed die having a recess therein, a forming die normally located above the bed'die, means for moving the forming die toward the bed die to press a strip of metal into the recess ofthe bed die, a' head, a moving shear member adapted to coeperate witha portion'ofsaid headto sever the metal strip, a portion ofsaid head being formed with a slanting surface against which the endof the 'unsevered strip portion rests after a portion of the strip has been severed, and a plunger member above the saidhead adapted to descend and engage the end of the metal strip thereby'to bend the end of the unsevered metal strip.

8.-In a device of the character described, incombination a bed-die havinga recess therein, *a forming die above the said bed die, means for moving the saidv forming die toward the bed die to press a strip of' metal into the recess of the bed die, a head located at one "side of the bed die, a 'platfor m'adjacent the head, yieldable' means uponwhich the platform is mounted, means for receiving and guiding a strip of meta]. across the I gage with the metal strip, depressing the platformv upon which the strip lies' and bending the end of the strip against a portion of the said head. 9. In a'device of the character described,- in combination, a bed die having a recess therein, 'a forming die above'the said bed die, means-for moving the saidforming die toward the bed die to press a strip of metal into'the recess of the bed die, folding means adjacent the bed die, mechanism for moving said folding means transversely ofthe bed die to fold the strip. of metal around the formingdie, a stripping mechanism for expelling the finished'folded metal strip from the forming die. said stripping mechanism comprising a pushing element carried by the forming die, means cooperating with the pushing element, said means being carried upon thesa'me support as the forming die, and other means for operating the same.

10. In a device of the character described, in combination a bed die having a recess therein, means for feeding a strip of metal above the said bed die, a forming die above the said bed die, means for moving the forming die toward the bed die to press said metal strip into-the recessof the bed die,

transversely of the bed folding means located adjacent the forming die, means for moving said folding means die to fold the metal strip about the forming die, a stripper member mounted upon the forming die, a rod associated with the stripping member, a support for said rod slidably mounted upon the same mounting as carries the forming die, and means for operating the said rod in proper timed relationship to the other functioning of the machine.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination a bed die having a recess therein, means for guiding a metal strip above and across the bed die, a forming die above the bed die, means for moving sai forming die toward the bed die to press said metal strip into the recess of the bed die, folding members mounted adjacent the bed die, means for moving said folding members transversely of the bed die to fold the metal strip about the forming die, a stripping member mounted upon the forming die, a rod for operating said stripping member, a support for said rod slidably mounted upon the support for the forming die, operating mechanism for said rod comprising a rotatable shaft, an arm carried by the shaft, a loose connection between the said arm and the mounting for the aforesaid rod, and a cam mechanism associated with the shaft for operating the same and the parts connected therewith thereby to operate the stripper in proper sequence to the other functioning of the machine.

12. In a device of the character described, in combination a bed die havinga recess therein, a head for the said device, a plurality of slides mounted within the said head, a cam shaft, cams carried'by the said shaft, each of said cams cooperating with one of the aforesaid slides, spring members for normally maintaining the slides in contact with the cam members, a forming die carried by one of said slide members, said forming die being adapted to move toward the bed die to press a metal strip in the rerality of slides mounted cess therein, a pair of folding members mounted adjacent the bed die, means carried by one of said slides adapted to engage portions of said folding members to move the same transversely with respect to the bed die, a pressing head carried by one of the said slide members and adapted to reciprocate toward the bed die when the forming die is in cooperative relationship with the bed die, and shearing mechanism, part of said shearing mechanism being carried adjacent the bed die and another part of said shearing mechanism being mounted upon one of the slides.

13. In a device of the character described, in combination a bed die having a recess therein, a head for the said device, a pluwithin the said head, a cam shaft, cams carried by the said shaft, each of said cams cooperating with one of the aforesaid slides, spring members for normally maintaining the slides in contact with the cam members, a forming die carried by one of said slide members, said forming die being adapted to move toward the bed die to press a metal strip in the recess therein, a pair of folding membersv mounted adjacent the bed die, means carried by one of said slides adapted to engage portions of said folding members to move the same transversely with respect to the bed die, a pressing head carried by one of the said slide members andadapted to reciprocate toward the bed die when the forming die is in cooperative relationship with the bed die, shearing mechanism, part of said shearing mechanism being carried adjacent the bed die and another part of said shearing mechanism being mounted upon one of the slides, and a head mounted adjacent the bed die, a pressing member carried by one of the aforesaid slides, which cooperates with the said fold in the metal strip.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

SAMUEL H. GIBSON.

head to form a preliminary 

